Side Effects:

Common Sleepiness, Slurred speech, Memory impairment, Uncoordinated body movements, Dizziness, Dryness in mouth, Fatigue, Irritability, Constipation, Headache, Depression.

Expert advice for Ancolam Tablet SR
If you are taking Ancolam for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety, it should not be used more than 4 weeks. It may become less effective over the time. It causes sleepiness or drowsiness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery. Avoid consuming alcohol when taking the Ancolam, as it may cause excessive sleepiness or drowsiness. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver problems. The addiction / habit-forming potential of Ancolam is very high.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Ancolam used for?
Ancolam is used to relieve excess (moderate to severe) anxiety and to treat anxiety associated with depression. It is not to be used for mild anxiety associated with stress of day today life situations.

Q. Is Ancolam safe?
Ancolam is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Q. Is Ancolam addictive (habit-forming)?
Yes, the use of Ancolam has addictive potential. Its use is associated with risk of addiction for physical or psychological effects. The abrupt discontinuation of Ancolam is therefore not advised to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms.

Q. Is Ancolam an opioid?
No, Ancolam is not an opioid, it belongs to a class of substances called benzodiazepines.

Q. Is Ancolam an anti-depressant?
No, Ancolam is not an anti-depressant. It is used to relieve excess anxiety and to treat anxiety associated with depression.

Q. Is Ancolam a narcotic substance?
No, Ancolam is not a narcotic substance. It belongs to the class of medicines known as benzodiazepines and is used for the treatment of anxiety.

Q. Can I take Ancolam for a hangover?
No, Ancolam is not indicated for managing a hangover. Rather, Ancolam should not be taken with alcohol as both the substances can cause excessive sleep (sedation) and depress your brain.

Q. Can I take Ancolam for anxiety?
Yes, Ancolam is used to relieve excess (moderate to severe) anxiety and to treat anxiety associated with depression. It is not recommended for mild anxiety associated with stress of day today life situations.

Q. Can I take Ancolam for heart palpitations?
No, Ancolam is not indicated for the treatment of heart palpitations. However, it may help in reducing heart palpitations associated with anxiety. Ancolam should always be taken only when advised by your doctor.

Q. Can I take Ancolam for alcohol withdrawal?
No, Ancolam is not indicated for the management of alcohol withdrawal.

Q. Does Ancolam reduce blood pressure?
Lowering of blood pressure is seen if you take more than prescribed dose of Ancolam. Please consult your doctor if you experience excessive fall in blood pressure while you are taking Ancolam.

Q. Does Ancolam make you sleepy?
Yes, Ancolam makes you sleepy. Sedation (sleepiness) is a very common side effect of Ancolam. Please consult your doctor if you are prescribed Ancolam and your work requires you to remain alerted or you drive yourself as it may affect your driving.

Q. Does Ancolam expire?
Yes, Ancolam like any other medicine has an expiry date and should not be used beyond the date mentioned on the package.

Q. Does Ancolam cause weight gain?
Change in weight (both weight gain and weight loss) has been reported as a common side effect with Ancolam. Please consult your doctor if you experience disproportionate change in weight when you are taking Ancolam.

Q. Can the use of Ancolam cause hair loss?
It has not been reported to cause hair loss. Talk to your doctor if you experience this while taking Ancolam. As it could be due to some other underlying condition.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with hydrocodone?
Ancolam should not be taken with hydrocodone. Ancolam belong to a class of medicines called benzodiazepines and hydrocodone belongs to the class of medicines called opioids. Both the classes cause sedation (increased tenedency to sleep) and respiratory depression (slow and difficult breathing). Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with paracetamol?
No, interactions have been reported between Ancolam and paracetamol. However, this does not mean that no interactions exist. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with prednisone?
Prednisolone may increase the metabolism (breakdown) of Ancolam and hence decrease the levels of Ancolam in the body which may decrease the effect of Ancolam and a higher dose may be needed. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with clonazepam?
Ancolam should not be taken with clonazepam as both the medicines belong to the same class of medicines called benzodiazepines. When taken together, they can cause sedation (increased tenedency to sleep) and respiratory depression (slow and difficult breathing). Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with oxycodone?
Ancolam should not be taken with oxycodone. Ancolam belong to a class of medicines called benzodiazepines and oxycodone belong to the class of medicines called opioids. Both the classes cause sedation (increased tenedency to sleep) and respiratory depression (slow and difficult breathing). Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with tramadol?
Ancolam should not be taken with tramadol. Ancolam belong to a class of medicines called benzodiazepines and tramadol belong to the class of medicines called opioids. Both the classes cause sedation (increased tenedency to sleep) and respiratory depression (slow and difficult breathing). Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with ibuprofen?
No, interactions have been reported between Ancolam and ibuprofen. However, this does not mean that no interactions exist. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with sertraline?
No, interactions have been reported between Ancolam and sertraline. However, this does not mean that no interactions exist. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam with buspirone?
No, interactions have been reported between Ancolam and buspirone. However, this does not mean that no interactions exist. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Ancolam for the rest of my life?
No, Ancolam should be taken only for a prescribed duration at prescribed doses as advised by your doctor.

Q. Can I take Ancolam for pain?
No, Ancolam is not indicated for the treatment of any kind of pain. It belongs to the class of benzodiazepines and is indicated for the treatment of anxiety.